Year: 2021

Sarah Stempky-Kime promoted to Managing Partner of Christensen Law Kime was currently serving as the Managing Attorney, a leadership role that she assumed in 2017. “We have been growing as a firm, and she’s always had a strong hand in decisions on how things might be improved,” says founder Dave…

1ST ANNIVERSARY OF JOINING THE CLAW FAMILY Aunt, cat-mom, and pop-punk princess are self-identifiers for Kay-Lynn (affectionately known as “KL”), our Social Media Manager. Peel back the onion, and you’ll find incredible depth to the multi-faceted millennial. After receiving her Advertising & Public Relations degree from Grand Valley State University…

Truck drivers in Michigan must carry auto insurance in compliance with both federal and state regulations. Intrastate truckers who only operate within Michigan’s borders must follow state insurance regulations, while interstate truck drivers who drive cross-country must also ensure they comply with federal insurance regulations. Purchasing the right amount of…

ERICKA CELEBRATES 5 YEARS WITH CLAW Our front-of-house Brand Ambassador and Receptionist Ericka Matthews joined the Christensen Law family 5 years ago this weekend! Above all else, Ericka is truly representative of what CLAW stands for – her own values align closely with ours, which she lives with joy and…

CELEBRATING STEPHANIE’S 9-YEAR ANNIVERSARY Ask any member of the firm and they’ll tell you Stephanie McPherson knows her stuff. As the Senior Litigation Paralegal, she is responsible not only for managing Dave Christensen and Sarah Stempky-Kime’s caseload, but also for training and systems. “Stephanie handles the heavy lifting on over…

For many Michiganders, motorcycles aren’t just a mode of transportation. They’re a hobby, a passion, and a way of life. And while motorcycles may be the most fun you can have on two wheels, they can also be dangerous. For bikers, safety should begin before even starting the engine. That…

The aftermath of a serious injury accident can be confusing and stressful. Many people ― particularly those who’ve never been severely injured before ― are unaware of their options for compensation in Michigan. Any search about taking legal action after an injury will turn up terms like “torts” and “personal…

FEATURING THE CHRISTENSEN LAW TEAM We’ve been excited to partner with Benny Gold, founder of of Lawyer Stories, who interviewed all our attorneys this summer! Check out Dave’s dulcet tones and story here: Sarah shares her personal experience with her baby’s son’s TBI and how it reframed her approach to…

6th Annual Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Contest This year, we received many really wonderful submissions — from funny to factual to highly technical and socially relevant — and they all met the challenge of raising awareness of the dangers of distracted/drunk/impaired driving.  The CLAW team thoroughly enjoyed our movie watch-party,…

Michigan moped laws outline the specific requirements that operators must meet to drive legally in the state. While riders are granted the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers, moped operators are subject to different rules regarding insurance, helmet use, and driving in various traffic situations. Understanding these rules is…

PENDING LEGISLATION WILL HURT ACCIDENT SURVIVORS – WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW TO CHANGE IT! Huge changes are taking place under the proposed No-Fault legislation due to go into effect on July 1st. There is an alternative bill that Dave Christensen helped write that would save the medical providers and…

DEB TONELLI, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR Deb, who has 30+ years of experience as an attorney, plays a key role at Christensen Law, heading up our presuit department. All incoming cases start with pre-litigation and involve several steps prior to settlement or litigation, starting with a thorough investigation of all aspects…

It’s natural to expect full compensation if you’re hurt in an accident caused by someone else. However, many claimants are disappointed to get low settlement offers when the opposing party argues they are partly to blame for their injuries. In cases of shared fault, Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence…

The Great Lakes State is known for its picturesque beauty. For many riders, there’s no better way to enjoy Michigan’s more than 3,288 miles of shoreline than on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents occur more frequently than we’d like to think. Many times, these accidents are the result of other…

Filing an insurance claim is the primary way to obtain compensation if you’re hurt in an accident. Insurance company representatives (called adjusters) will investigate the claim to determine how much money they believe it’s worth. But be warned: An adjuster is trained and paid by the insurance company. They’re out…

It’s safe to say that ridesharing services have changed the face of transportation in Michigan. When companies like Uber and Lyft came on the scene a decade ago, they were marketed as a convenient commuter option and a safe alternative to drunk driving. They are also valuable services to help…

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system was established to help motorists quickly get the money they need to cover medical bills and lost income after a collision. It’s good in theory, but the no-fault system can, unfortunately, make getting full and fair compensation a challenge. At Christensen Law, our dedicated Southfield no-fault…

DUSTIN HOFF CELEBRATES 6-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH CHRISTENSEN LAW This month marks the sixth year since Trial Attorney Dustin Hoff joined CLAW.  Admitted to the bar in 2014, he joined the firm after spending his first year as an associate at a small firm in Sandusky – his hometown – where…

If you were seriously injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, you’re probably wondering how you’ll pay for the medical bills and other losses that you incurred. Depending on the nature of the crash and who was at fault, you could have grounds for one or several types of personal injury…

Truck accidents account for some of the worst accidents on Michigan roads. Many of these collisions are caused by carelessness — or, in legal terms, negligence — on the part of one or more parties in the trucking industry. Typically, that means they violated strict state and federal trucking laws….

Let’s be honest: we’re all probably guilty of distracted walking. The smartphone alone has given Americans no shortage of diversions while walking. But is it contributing to more pedestrian accidents and deaths? The research is unclear. There’s no question that distracted walking is dangerous. The National Safety Council reports that…

Some of the losses caused by an accident are easy to calculate. Medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses can be quantified with proof of your monetary losses. But what about damages that can’t easily be assessed? Pain and suffering does not come with a price tag….

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impact a person’s daily functioning in many ways. Memory, concentration, speech, motor planning, emotional regulation, and organizational skills can all be disrupted by a brain injury. Even a concussion — the mildest form of TBI — is linked to forgetfulness, confusion, delayed response to…

The moments after a car accident are often upsetting and disorienting, so you may not know what to do or who to call. Below are recommendations from the auto accident attorneys at Christensen Law. To protect your chance of recovering damages, you must report the crash and start documenting the…

Michigan Lawyers Weekly Announces Hall of Fame Winners “21 for 21.” This special award recognizes esteemed members of the legal profession who have been in practice for at least 30 years or have reached the age of 60 or older. These lawyers truly are legends, making their mark in the…

When whiplash occurs due to an automobile accident, you may experience jaw pain and limited movement that can easily be overlooked and undiagnosed. You may have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injury that can have long-term consequences. It’s best not to assume that the pain will resolve on its own. Getting…

Detroit area personal injury trial attorneys Christensen Law are celebrating the 7th anniversary of the firm’s founding. It has been 7 years since the launch. Recently, the original five employees sat down to reminisce about the early days, what progress has looked like, and what they are looking forward to…

The students of Christensen Academy, the on-site education facility launched by Detroit personal injury lawyers Christensen Law, presented their research on important figures in black American history this past month. Led by the Academy’s educator, Mrs. Marsha Carreker, the intent of the segment was for students to gain a better…

claim means going to trial. That’s a myth. The truth is that the majority of personal injury cases are resolved through a settlement with an insurance company or through a process known as mediation. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that occurs before a case reaches the…

An insurance declaration page is a critical part of an insurance policy. Typically sent once or twice a year whenever your insurance policy gets renewed, the declaration page outlines the coverage that you have access to. You will likely have an auto insurance policy or a renters or homeowners insurance…